Overview

Sales Director, Japan (Automotive OEM Focus) Jobs in Yokohama, Japan at Autolink

Title: Sales Director, Japan (Automotive OEM Focus)

Company: Autolink

Location: Yokohama, Japan

Position Summary

As the Sales Director for Japan, you will be the primary leader responsible for the strategic deployment and sales growth of our core products and services with top Japanese automotive manufacturers (e.g., Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru) and their key suppliers. You will act as the business pioneer and relationship architect for our company in this critical market, managing the entire sales cycle from strategic planning to deal closure. Your mandate is to secure breakthrough and sustainable success in Japan.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Strategy Development & Execution:
  • Conduct in-depth analysis of the Japanese automotive landscape, technology trends, and competitor dynamics to develop and execute long-term market entry and sales strategies targeting Japanese OEMs.
  • Be accountable for setting, decomposing, and achieving the regional sales targets (revenue, market share, profitability) for Japan.
  1. Key Account Development & Management:
  • Directly engage with senior decision-makers (e.g., CTO, Head of Procurement, EE Architecture Lead, Digital Business Lead) at target Japanese OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. Establish and nurture top-level strategic partnerships.
  • Systematically manage the entire sales pipeline, leading the full process from initial contact, technical exchange, needs discovery, solution design, quotation negotiation, to contract signing.
  1. Solution Selling & Technical Alignment:
  • Deeply understand ConnectWorld's product and technology advantages, and adeptly translate them into tailored solutions that align with the specific needs and development processes (e.g., "Hoshin Kanri," "Genchi Genbutsu" culture) of Japanese automakers.
  • Collaborate with internal product, engineering, and pre-sales teams to organize and lead high-level technical workshops, product demonstrations, and Proof-of-Concept (POC) projects, effectively driving customer decisions.
  1. Cross-functional Collaboration & Project Leadership:
  • Serve as the single point of contact for the customer internally, efficiently coordinating resources across R&D, project delivery, legal, and finance teams to ensure accurate understanding and fulfillment of customer requirements for successful project execution.
  • Identify risks early in the cycle and lead negotiations to resolve complex commercial and technical issues.
  1. Market Intelligence & Brand Building:
  • Gather and report key frontline intelligence on market, customer, and competitor activities to inform corporate product planning and strategic adjustments.
  • Represent the company at industry summits and technology forums, enhancing the brand influence and thought leadership of ConnectWorld within the Japanese automotive ecosystem.

Qualifications & Experience

Mandatory Requirements:

  1. Experience:
  • Minimum of 10+ years of direct sales or senior business development experience within the automotive technology sector (e.g., telematics, smart cockpit, automotive software, semiconductors, Tier-1) specifically targeting Japanese automotive OEMs.
  • Proven track record of independently developing and leading at least 2-3 complex solution sales projects worth multi-million USD to major Japanese OEMs, achieving breakthrough from zero to one.
  • Deep understanding of the Japanese automotive industry's business models, decision-making processes, cultural nuances, and technical standards.
  1. Client Network:
  • Possess an extensive, deep, and stable network of senior-level (Division Manager/Director and above) contacts within at least 2-3 major Japanese OEMs such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru. Must have direct access, not solely through agents.
  1. Professional Competencies:
  • Native-level fluency in Japanese and business-level proficiency in English, capable of conducting in-depth commercial negotiations, technical discussions, and contract reviews in Japanese.
  • Strong solution-selling and value-selling skills, able to engage customers on strategic value and future vision beyond product features.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and executive engagement skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  1. Technical background or deep understanding of smart connected vehicle technologies, automotive software/hardware, cloud computing, or related fields.
  2. Experience in market creation from the ground up within a startup or high-growth tech environment, possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and resilience.
  3. Rich working and living experience in Japan, with a profound understanding of local business etiquette and culture.

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